I am an Assistant Professor of Spatial Epidemiology in the Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health at UT Southwestern Medical Center. My research program investigates two major questions: 1) how do health phenomena vary over space, time, and race/ethnicity? 2) what environmental factors (social, physical, and built) contribute to these spatial, temporal, and racial/ethnic variations? My work focuses on modifiable factors including pre-exposure prophylaxis providers (PrEP) and food outlets. To answer these questions, I use Bayesian spatial and spatiotemporal statistical models and Geographical Information Science techniques. My research aims to advance Bayesian probabilistic inferences in spatial health data analysis, promote the application of spatial and spatiotemporal analysis in public health, inform the development of geographically tailored, evidence-based health intervention programs, and ultimately improve population health.

Education

• Ph.D in Planning, University of Waterloo, 2017
• M.S. in Cartography and Geographic Information System, Wuhan University, 2011
• B.S. in Geographic Information System, Wuhan University, 2009

Prospective graduate students

I always welcome talented graduate students to work with me on spatial and spatiotemporal statistics, Bayesian modeling, machine learning, and their applications in various geographical phenomena.

Recent news

Our paper on comparing different spatial accessibility measures of pre-exposure prophylaxis has been published online in Annals of Epidemiology!

I am joining the editorial board of Spatial and Spatio-temporal Epidemiology!

I am hornored to be selected as a Vu fellow, 2021-22! Click for more details

CFP AAG 2022: “Spatiotemporal disease mapping and analysis”. Click for more details

I am co-guest editing a special issue,”Urban Built Environment and Mental Health”, in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Please consider contributing.